Bicolanos explore opportunities in #GOCanada

Our grand orientation caravan dubbed, #GOCanada, kicked off this weekend with the Bicol leg drawing hundreds of hopefuls from all over the region.

BICOL REGION, Philippines – The first orientation event was held at the heart of Bicol – Naga City.

Catherine Altarejos, the founder and president of WORLDCONNECT, led the event on Saturday, November 18th, at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Naga City orientation – November 18, Villa Caceres Hotel

The second stop of the caravan was at Legazpi City. The orientation was held at Alvi’s Restaurant Seafood Grill the next day, November 19.

Naga City orientation – November 19, Alvi’s

The grand orientation was set to focus on the firm’s newest country destination offer, Canada, which was launched in conjunction with its 10th year anniversary in the international education, visa processing, and immigration consulting business.

#GOCanada🇨🇦 expounded on the agency’s #LearnEarnLive program for Canada.

Altarejos explained on the seminar why WORLDCONNECT only just started offering Canada as a destination after years of catering to UK, Australia, and New Zealand. “A lot may wonder why this just came about now. It is because of the recent policy changes on Canada’s immigration. They became more open and we feel now is the best time to take advantage of that,” the CEO told participants.
The process of studying in Canada is now even faster for Filipinos, what with the recently launched streamlined Study Direct Stream (SDS) process – a government to government agreement that will expedite the processing of Canadian study visa into just 30 days. (READ: Canada launches Streamlined Study Permit Process)

Moreover, Altarejos acknowledged Filipino’s close ties to the North American country. “I know some of you here have relatives now working or living in Canada, and I won’t be surprised that’s why some if not most of you are here.” (READ: Statistics Canada – The Filipino Community in Canada)

While the event was focused on Canada, the seminar also promoted the agency’s prime destination offers in New Zealand and Australia.

Guest speaker, Khris Albano, a Bicolano AU and NZ immigration lawyer, talks to the attendees about the migration process and shares his personal experiences with applying for his permanent residency.

A special guest from Australia, Bernie Khris Albano, spoke about immigration to Australia and New Zealand. Albano is an immigration lawyer both registered in Australia’s Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) of New Zealand. ■ By Aldrin Brosas

The next leg of #GOCanada🇨🇦 will be up north this Sunday, November 26 at Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.